Winterbourne Wind Farm

See attached

We must stop this proliferation of wind turbines, they are destroying our bush, farmland, regional areas and communities. The only people who win from these are the overseas companies. Manufactured mainly in China, using our coal, with no regard to pollution and then bringing the things over here makes no sense. And it will do NOTHING to change the climates. Stop the insanity and go NUCLEAR!

I support this project because it not only invests significantly in the local communities through a $1m upfront Community Benefit Fund and ongoing annual support, but it also creates hundreds of jobs, fosters economic growth in regional NSW, and contributes meaningfully to our emissions reduction goals, all while promoting cleaner energy solutions.

I object to this proposal. Whilst I do not reside in Walcha my family are non-associated neighbours of the development and I spend significant time there each year. The following are of particular concern to me:

1. Detrimental impact on local environment – I am very concerned about the significant land clearing to occur as part of the development. Although the general area may have had significant clearing for pastural activities during the 19th and 20th centuries, this does not give others a social licence to clear what remains of forested ridgelines. We should be improving our environment, not engaging in additional clearing. Even if replanting is considered it has to be followed through - watered, cared for and ensured it will grow to proper size (particularly hard given the local climate) and all done within a meaningful time frame - and how does this work when it would presumably need to be cleared again as part of decommissioning when the turbines are removed in 30 years?

2. Impact on visual amenity – a number of turbines are within 10km of Walcha, and within 3km of a number of residential houses and properties. These turbines are huge – the size and scale rival a number of Sydney CBD towers (in an area with very little industrial development of such size and scale). These are not the size of your average wind turbine seen in Europe. If 20km is the new standard for an offshore wind farm (cf Illawarra coast declared area), in order to reduce the detrimental impacts on the Illawarra community, why are regional and rural communities not been given the same courtesy? Why is the detrimental visual and amenity impact on regional and rural communities of lesser consequence?

3. Impact on the community during extended construction – the construction timeframe has blown out to almost double what was in the initial proposal. This impacts both the local community and visitors to the town who will have to deal with significant traffic impacts on local roads and transit roads to the town – including the new transport route through Thunderbolt’s Way.

4. Lack of meaningful community engagement - ultimately, I find it unfortunate that Winterbourne’s substantive engagement with the community appears to have waned. It has not provided any face-to-face meetings or opportunities for questions following the long-delayed publication of its amended report or response to submissions. Given the significant length of the amended report I would have expected Winterbourne to have constructively engaged with the community as to the changes. The fact that the community has been given merely 1 month to respond to a report of such significant length, which has been in development for over 18 months (and had the benefit of 5 extensions of time), places the community at a disadvantage to meaningfully understand and respond to the proposal.

I object to the Winterbourne Wind Farm - these are some of the reasons

My biggest concern now is the use of Thunderbolts Way. As mentioned in my previous submission, I already have to get up early in the morning for school bus - I’m worried that I’m going have to get up much earlier and trip will be even more tedious … this will also be the case in the afternoon when getting home might take even longer. Its already a long day for Walcha students without the extra stress. I have recently got my driver’s license and now travel some days by car. I believe that whilst all school is important - when you are in the senior years having the additional stress of ‘running late’ due to heavy traffic movements is not fair. If I choose to go to UNE for tertiary education the different university time schedule may interfere even more with my ability to get to and from university without additional delays, and that worries me.

Walcha has definitely changed in the few years that this project has been here. There are definitely “no go” topics with friends and families, and I worry this will only get worse if the project proceeds.

There are several problems with the Winterbourne Wind Project
Thunderbolts Way between Uralla and Walcha is dreadful at the best of times. it is full of potholes, has patches on top of patches, has sunken in many areas and is generally rough. It certainly would not withstand over 1600 massive oversize trucks and the huge amount of other vehicles needed to construct the project. Winterbourne Wind don't even have the relevant approval for this size vehicle. Has there been any surveys (road counters) carried out on this stretch of road to see how many users would be affected by these massive trucks? Then there is the problem of what these heavy vehicles and extra traffic would do to our town streets and local country roads to get to the construction sights. 10 intersections do not have the legal required sight distances needed for safety. Everyday local road users would be adversely affected from Uralla right through to the 118 construction sights.
At this point in time there is no decommissioning plan. What happens to the towers after their useful life? Who is responsible for their removal? Do they end up lying in a paddock for a thousand years as they cannot be recycled? These questions need to be answered.
There also does not appear to be a definite solution to where the copious amounts of gravel and water are coming from. Very vague.
What happens to neighbors who don't want turbines? they not only have them constantly in their sight but have the noise 24/7.
Local government elections were recently held in Walcha, there were 3 candidates that stood who are all for Winterbourne Wind. Not 1 of them were elected to local council, to me that speaks volumes that Walcha DOES NOT want the Winterbourne Wind Farm.
Of the previous submissions 317 of 429 were objections, surely that indicates how the community feel. On closer inspection of those that were for the project, a lot did not even live in the district, which makes you ask - do those living outside the district know anything about the community or the actual project and do they even know where Walcha is?
The company saying they have reduced the number of towers and are moving others (take away 2 but add 1 and move towers only 100m), appears to be a ploy to hoodwink people into thinking how they are doing great things.
There will be a tower within 2km of the Apsley Falls Lookout and camping area. Apsley Falls is the most popular tourist attraction in the district, I would hate to think visitor/camper numbers would decrease due to wind turbine proximity and noise.
Guidelines state that towers should not be within 10km of a town Winterbourne Wind start 6km from town. how is this possible?
The turbines that are in such close proximity to National Parks surely have a detrimental affected on wildlife. Birds hitting blades for one.
How many trees are going to be destroyed to construct the roads and the turbines - hundreds, thousands?
Then there will have to be the construction of the massive powerlines that will rip across valuable farming land to get the power to the cities. If every available rooftop in every city had solar on it, then there would not be a need to destroy our precious farmland.
If a decision is going to be made that affects the future of Walcha then please come to Walcha spend a few days here visit our amazing National Parks, the magnificent Apsley Falls and stunning gorge country, see our wonderful grazing land and livestock.
Enjoy the peace and serenity that is Walcha.

I am supporting this renewable energy project as it will be beneficially for the local community as well as the environment.

Wind energy is becoming a cornerstone of the transition to renewable energy, and recent improvements in project planning highlights this commitment. Project improvements noted in the latest submission, demonstrate the commitment to minimizing environmental impacts while maximizing community and economic benefits. These improvements ensure that projects are better aligned with local needs, environmental standards and provide further project transparency. As a result, Winterbourne Wind not only drives progress toward Australia’s environmental goals but also fosters local job creation and economic growth, contributing to a cleaner, more resilient energy future for the region.

As a cornerstone of NSW's renewable energy strategy, wind power in the New England region not only reduces reliance on fossil fuels but also supports local communities by creating jobs and stimulating economic growth. Moreover, renewable energy projects in the area, including Winterbourne Wind Far, contribute significantly to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, helpingAustralia meet their environmental targets. The New England region's commitment to renewable energy sources like wind exemplifies how local action can contribute to a cleaner, more resilient energy future for everyone.

As a land owner and farmer, I am writing to express my deep concerns and opposition to the proposed development.

This submission is based on evidence from environmental, agricultural, and scientific experts, you won’t hear from in publications funded by the “renewables” lobby, highlighting the detrimental effects of wind factories on rural communities, ecosystems, and livestock. This project is industrial, not agricultural; calling it a farm is deceptive. Nothing is grown, only destroyed.

This development's purported "public benefit" is undermined by the well-documented inefficiencies and environmental costs associated with intermittent energy sources such as wind-powered industrial electricity plants.

Environmental Damage and Ecological Concerns

The large-scale vegetation clearance for wind factories disrupts complex biodiversity networks essential to the region's environmental health.

Experts have detailed the adverse effects of low-frequency noise and infrasonic emissions from wind turbines. This type of noise pollution can cause a range of biological effects, from vibroacoustic disease to sleep disturbances, and affect both animals and humans.

Reports of cattle becoming unsettled around turbines raise serious concerns about the welfare of livestock that graze near these facilities.

Additionally, the toxic materials used in turbine blades and solar panels, including bisphenol A (BPA) and cadmium, directly threaten local and international food chains.

The Department states there is no policy on how to calculate or quantitively assess prescribed impacts relating to barotrauma or bird and bat strike and there is no requirement to provide biodiversity offset credits. In other words, ignore it, and it won't matter.

Neighbours of the Mount Emerald wind factory in Queensland have observed total decimation of rare raptors and the rapid proliferation of venomous snakes, including the eastern brown and tiger snake, whose previous sole predator has been virtually annihilated in the region. Expect the same here, unchecked, as the Department requires no further investigation post approval. It will be our problem, not the bureaucracy approving it in Sydney.

The project footprint has serious biodiversity impacts, and the current document is void of any detail of the previous $64 million biodiversity offset.

Introducing industrial wind and solar installations into agricultural landscapes contradicts the world's view of Australia's premium produce.

Recent regulations, like the Livestock Production Assurance accreditation, now require farmers to declare whether livestock have access to wind turbines or solar panels, underscoring the food safety risks associated with proximity to these installations.

Farmers in the New England Renewable Energy Zone, for instance, must indicate if livestock could be exposed to leaking transformers, capacitors, or other hazardous equipment associated with these installations.

These concerns raise a critical question: how can rural communities ensure the safety and marketability of their agricultural products when they are compromised by the proximity to industrial energy sites?

The LPA has advised in written correspondence that: "LPA requires producers to identify contamination risks on their property and control them where necessary. This is through completion and regular update of a property risk assessment. If a contamination risk exists, you need to manage and minimise that risk appropriate to your operation."

Multiple studies indicate the impact of BPA in soils and water systems yet the impact of Winterbourne's proposal on some of the best prime agricultural land in the country has yet to be examined.

Scores of international scientists have published peer-reviewed papers showing Bisphenol A (BPA) contributes to human disease, as it can contaminate food, beverage, air, and soil and accumulate in several tissues and organs.

As much of the world moves away from BPA, our developers decide to feed it to Australians, from the turbine blade in the paddock to the plate.

Despite Labor, Green and Climate-200 funded political candidates claims of the reliability and efficacy of renewable energy, the intermittency of wind and solar energy cannot meet the continuous energy demands of the Australian public.

Dr Adi Paterson, the former head of ANSTO, an expert in energy infrastructure pointed out in his evidence to the Australian Parliament on October 28, 2024 that wind energy operates effectively only a few days each week.

This limitation casts doubt on political promises of reliable energy through wind projects.

While there is a claim that, for example, a 150 MW wind development powers up to 65,000 homes, publicly available data shows that actual performance falls short of such projections.

For instance, the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO) reports that wind energy operates at roughly 30 per cent of its registered capacity, which means these developments consistently underdeliver on their output promises.

The narrative of "public benefit" for the Walcha community does not align with the economic and social costs imposed by this development.

Communities such as those in the proposed site are subjected to significant environmental and social changes without tangible benefits.

Proximity to wind farms in Queensland has been linked to health impacts like vibro-acoustic disease and sleep disruption, leading some residents to relocate.

The perception of "drought-proof income" from leasing land for wind turbines is undermined by the potential future liabilities due to reduced land value which local land sales have shown a decrease of between 20 and 50 per cent.

Inadequate Meteorological Research:

As highlighted by Professor Ivan Kennedy from the University of Sydney, a substantial gap exists in the research on the meteorological impacts of wind farms, particularly in hot, dry climates like Australia. The lack of scientific investigation into wind farm wakes under Australian conditions represents a failure of due diligence which could make way for class actions.

The absence of conclusive studies on wind turbines' thermal impacts and potential drying effects in these climates is alarming. If we are to trust the science, then comprehensive, transparent research should inform energy policy, not political agendas.

Professor Kennedy has already written to NSW Government energy bureaucrats calling for increased academic research and would be more than happy to educate you on this subject.

Energy Co Transmission Role Out

The cumulative impact assessment did not include the neighbouring project, Ruby Hills, or the Energy Co transmission required to connect the development to the grid.

It would be hard to imagine Winterbourne was unaware of Ruby Hills since they have a mutual shareholder, and their offices in Walcha's main street look directly onto each other.

The state will only spend billions of taxpayers' money on the transmission lines to support these unbankable wind projects that will leave community destruction as its legacy and will not contribute to the state's energy supply or Australia's push toward Net Zero.

The mapped transmission line currently runs onto the Walcha plateau, ruining what was prime agricultural land, to connect projects promoted by unproven developers with no capital that have, in many instances, since exited the market.

There are serious concerns held over the associated cost to the taxpayer of taking the small amounts of energy from Winterbourne to the grid. For example, the HumeLink project budget, has skyrocketed from an initial $1.3 billion to $4.6 billion, a staggering increase that has left many questioning the accuracy of cost estimates and the existence of a coherent plan.

Community Consultation

The community consultation surrounding this project has been appalling. Not once have developers spoken at a community event about the proposal despite many, many invitations.

Project leaders have been notably absent from community discussions, giving the impression that they are avoiding accountability for the large-scale environmental and social impact of these projects.

Despite holding a shop front on the main street, I have never once seen its door open to the community.

If the only major public information session happened at the Walcha Show in March, it's concerning that updates to the project were only reflected in the planning portal as late as October.

Expecting families to dig into complex project details at a busy event like a show, especially those attending with kids, seems unrealistic and insufficient for genuine community engagement.

Consultation feels like a "dictatorship" rather than a transparent and collaborative process.

When acronyms and technical jargon are used excessively, it sidelines busy locals and slashes their ability to participate.

This approach is a deliberate strategy to minimise pushback or meaningful engagement, making it hard for landowners and community members to understand the full impact.

The proposed wind farm in Walcha presents significant risks to the environment, agricultural productivity, food safety, and the well-being of the local community.

The cumulative impacts of low-frequency noise pollution, toxic materials, and intermittent energy output do not justify the "public benefit" narrative that accompanies this project.

Without robust scientific research to validate the safety and effectiveness of large-scale wind farms in Australia's unique environment, approving this project would be premature and detrimental to our future.

In light of the above, I strongly urge you to reconsider this proposal and prioritise energy policies that ensure true public benefit without compromising the integrity of rural NSW.

Submission attached

I still remain completely opposed to the Winterbourne Wind project.

Personally, I don’t believe that they have addressed the many of the areas concerns I have (see my last submission). These areas below (amongst many more not listed) remain (more-or-less ) the same.

Biodiversity Impact in the Amendment report appears to be very scant on the details – all the while saying they have “addressed the issues” and have reduced the scale of the impact. That is not good enough. We need the facts. The removal of one turbine – the relocation of 21 – and the refinement of 52 – need weight behind these claims, and for the developer to held accountable as to how they have achieved this – ‘not just because they say so’.

Socio Economic Impact / Community Consultation – I still don’t believe they know any more about Walcha and our way of life, as they did when they were compiling the first round EIS. You would think with multiple extensions from DoP and opportunities to come up and meet the community, they would have ample certitude to address these issues. Perhaps the lack of input from Vestas, a closed shop front (for the most part) and minimal community engagement, is perhaps a clear sign of the contempt they have shown this community (and continue too).

For example, the VPA debacle is just the icing on the cake (as far as I'm concerned). I have little doubt that Vestas will be held to account and honour their obligations. Why would they? The terribly worded VPA document essentially leaves them high and dry for no responsibility should they choose that route. Why our Council ever agreed to it – I don’t know!! Walcha will get shafted, and Vestas will be long gone before any good comes from this.

Indigenous Consultation – I have heard that they still disregard and have minimal contact with the local custodians, the Dunghatti Bari Nation.

Roads and Traffic – I could just imagine the ERM/Vestas bright sparks sitting around their shiny Sydney office and announcing – “Oh this is an easy fix – we’ll just use Thunderbolts Way instead!!” Done. Ticked. With no thought about how this will impact Walcha for (now) 52 months no less!! (and I’m sure that number is the “rose smelling perfect scenario” number – it will be longer – much longer). Thunderbolts way is the main arterial road for this community to Uralla, Armidale and beyond. My daughter, along with many more students, use this road every day to go up to school and back – not to mention sport on the weekend. Suggesting that this project will have minimal effect on these movement is just ludicrous. I often travel up to Armidale in the morning and afternoon and I would suggest there is a steady flow back and forth. If this project goes ahead this steady flow will become a perpetual bottle neck – heaven forbid it an emergency vehicle needs to get through! Are Vestas prepared to wear the outcome of a “delayed ambulance” and the potential ramification of that delay?

I’m also concerned about the number of times the words “may be” have been used in relation to vehicle movement, truck numbers, gravel and water. “May be” is not good enough – the impact of this project is too enormous on this area for those word to be used so flippantly.

Noise – Just because you ‘say so’, doesn’t automatically mean your right. An independent peer review was undertaken by the community looking into the impact of the noise. His observations were seemingly ignored in the Amended report. So Sonus’s predictions remain uncertain, deficient and incomplete.

Blade shedding – I’m not convinced they have addressed this issue either. It will a well-known fact that these blades shed and disburse microplastics into the environment. Regardless of whether (or not) they claim that BPA plastic couldn’t possibly come from one of “their” blades, the sheer size of this project mean that this plastic pollution will 100% end up in our waterways and rivers … how can we be saving the environment to destroy it???

Cumulative impact … what a joke … the fact that projects like Ruby Hills and Energyco project have been ignored in this report is appalling - if it wasn’t so serious it would be laughable.

Finally, I just want to say how much of a farce this whole process is. I have had numerous chats with folks around town that say “why do I need to do another submission – I did one already”. I can imagine that Vestas will be slapping each other on the back saying ‘well done boys’ – because, I suspect, the number of submissions will be considerably less than the first round. I can assure you this will not be because peoples position has changed, it will be more to do the lack of information from developer – or really anything from the developer (I’m are quite sure they will be happy if they general population remains ignorant to the EIA process) – the lack of information from our council – and just an general feeling of all this is “too hard” and “It’s going over our head”. We are all wind scarred here.

The division that I feared would happen – has happened. Walcha is forever damaged from the effects of this project (not to mention to ones still yet to come). Please do the right thing and remove this megamoster from Walcha’s future – it has no place here. It is just too big and in the wrong place.

Please refer to my earlier submission for more details.

Thankyou
Kate Durack

With this submission I would like to speak on behalf of the majority of business in the Walcha LGA that are in favor of the proposed Winterbourne Wind Project but are too frightened to speak out in fear of being victimized by the anti-renewable atmosphere that has been generated in the community mainly through mis-information, fake news & lies.
The majority of businesses in the commercial area of Walcha have been surveyed and are hanging out for an increase in economic activity and can see only good coming from the Winterbourne Wind Project.
Without any form of development and the status quo in maintained future social and economic development in the Walcha LGA is LIMITED.
The economies of Walcha, New England and rural Australia need these developments for a SUSTAINABLE future

I strongly support Winterbourne Wind Farm SSD-10471
I am very concerned at how long it takes NSW Department of Planning to approve wind farms, our chances of getting to net zero diminish by the day.
In Walcha we have a very vociferous anti renewable group. They have the arrogance to call themselves Voice for Walcha. In fact they represent a very small percentage of our community. Walcha has had a 25% loss of population since the nineties. We desperately need an influx of business that will create employment opportunities, benefit local businesses etc.
Winterbourne Wind are offering a very generous community benefit fund over 30 years, nobody else is queuing up to invest in Walcha
I AM A LONG TERM RESIDENT OF WALCHA, AND THIS PROJECT HAS MY FULL SUPPORT

As a new business owner in Walcha - and a resident. I believe that this project will be a good addition to the Walcha - and surrounding community

We are in support of this project and look forward to it becoming an integral business within our LGA

I support the Winterboune Wind Farm project due to exactly the same reasons I supported it previously.
Good luck

Please find attached Voice For Walcha community submission objecting to Winterbourne Wind Farm.

I support the Winterbourne Wind Farm Project. Our State is in dire need of sustainable energy resources and we need to reduce our carbon footprint. I see this project as a solution to this problem and therefore a way forward for all of us.

Visual Ammenity -
Noise assessment - Incomplete
I endorse Les Huson expert report in the Voice for Walcha submission. I ask the developer to follow the 2016 Noise guidelines.
Visual - I endorse a 10km buffer from town Walcha and a 10km buffer from the world heritage National Park as stated by National Parks in their submission.
We Graham & Shelley Marchant are farmers and live on the Eastern side of Walcha. Our views are over the Apsley Gorge and we don't want to see a wind turbine from our verandah.
Why would you want to destroy some of the best fertile grazing country in NSW with the Wind Turbines proposed and there infrastructure.
As Farmers it is hard enough now to breed our livestock with the added interference and radiation from these turbines.
We also worry about the next generation of Farmers and how it will affect their Future..
Walcha is known for our Tourism and one of them being the Apsley Falls and our gorgeous country. These proposed Wind Turbines will take away the scenic value and will kill some of the birdlike. We don't want our Timber assets cleared away for the Turbines. And also they are way too close to the National Parks in our area..
Surely there would be better options to locate these Wind Turbines. Less destructive to the Environment and closer to where they are needed for Electricity..
Walcha is a wonderful,caring little community and we are so lucky to live here. But these proposed Wind Turbines have divided our community and will destroy our beautiful surroundings just because only a minority want them.
We strongly object to the proposed Winterbourne Wind Turbines..